Archive - December 2011

Space Mountain Produces Terrestrial Meteorites …..

vesta


When NASA’s ”Dawn” spacecraft entered orbit around giant asteroid Vesta in July, scientists fully expected the probe to reveal some surprising sights. But no one expected a 13-mile high mountain, two and a half times higher than Mount Everest, to be one of them.

The existence of this towering peak could solve a longstanding mystery: How did so many pieces of Vesta end up right here on our own planet?

For many years, researchers have been collecting Vesta meteorites from “fall sites” around the world. The rocks’ chemical fingerprints leave little doubt that they came from the giant asteroid. Earth has been peppered by so many fragments of Vesta, that people have actually witnessed fireballs caused by the meteoroids tearing through our atmosphere. Recent examples include falls near the African village of Bilanga Yanga in October 1999 and outside Millbillillie, Australia, in October 1960.

“Those meteorites just might be pieces of the basin excavated when Vesta’s giant mountain formed,” says Dawn PI Chris Russell of UCLA.

Russell believes the mountain was created by a ‘big bad impact‘ with a smaller body; material displaced in the smashup rebounded and expanded upward to form a towering peak. The same tremendous collision that created the mountain might have hurled splinters of Vesta towards Earth.

”Some of the meteorites in our museums and labs could be fragments of Vesta formed in the impact — pieces of the same stuff the mountain itself is made of. Vesta formed at the dawn of the solar system, “Billions of years of collisions with other space rocks have given it a densely cratered surface.”

The surface around the mountain, however, is tellingly smooth. Russell believes the impact wiped out the entire history of cratering in the vicinity. By counting craters that have accumulated since then, researchers can estimate the age of the landscape.

CY0 Sable Island cancelled…..

sat_image


Sad news from the CY0 Sable Island team received today;

Hi Everyone-

Unfortunately, we had to postpone the Sable Island CY0 DXpedition due to
the landing area on the island being under water. A winter storm with
20+ foot swells pushed water onto the sand “runway” on Wednesday
evening. Al Wilson, the OIC on Sable, made an assessment of the landing
area yesterday. Ron and I talked with Al and there was no possibility of
a flight to the island in the next five days. After that, it would
depend on how quickly the water would drain from the landing area and if
any other storms affect the island. At that point, we decided to
postpone the DXpedition.
Needless to say, we are extremely disappointed that we have had to postpone the DXpedition. We have learned first-hand there is really no season of the year that is ideal for flights.

Late yesterday morning, we met with Ted of Maritime Air. Ted advised it has been the worst year he has experienced as far as scheduling flights. Maritime Air provides logistical flight services to Environment Canada on the island.

Even though we are disappointed, we are not defeated. Maritime Air allowed us to store our gear to help facilitate our next attempt. We are discussing two options with the Sable Island station.

We appreciate your interest in the DXpedition. We have received a lot of encouragement from DX’ers around the world. Continue to check the DXpedition website for updates.

www.cy0dxpedition.com

73,

Ron AA4VK
Murray WA4DAN

Samoa to jump forward in time….

689836-clock

THE tiny South Pacific nation of Samoa will jump forward in time this week – all in the name of trade.

At the stroke of midnight on December 29, time in Samoa will leap forward to December 31 – New Year’s Eve. For Samoa’s 186,000 citizens, Friday, December 30, 2011, will simply cease to exist.

The time jump back to the future comes 119 years after some US traders persuaded local Samoan authorities to align their islands’ time with nearby US-controlled American Samoa and the US to assist trade with California.

But the time zone has proved problematic in recent years, putting Samoa nearly a full day behind neighbouring Australia and New Zealand, increasingly important trading partners with the island nation. In a bid to remedy that, the Government passed a law in June that will move Samoa west of the international dateline, which separates one calendar day from the next and runs roughly north-to-south through the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Under a government decree, all those scheduled to work on the non-existent Friday will be given full pay for the missed day of labour. Initially strongly opposed by Samoa’s opposition Tautua Samoa Party, the law to make the dateline switch won support after leader A’eau Peniamina told the nation’s Parliament: “It’s a change that benefits the people. Prime Minister Tuila’epa Sailele Malielegaoi earlier said it would strengthen trade and economic links with Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Being a day behind the region has meant that when it’s dawn Sunday in Samoa, it’s already dawn Monday in adjacent Tonga and nearly dawn Monday in nearby New Zealand, Australia and increasingly prominent east Asian trade partners such as China. “In doing business with New Zealand and Australia, we’re losing out on two working days a week,” the PM said. “While it’s Friday here, it’s Saturday in New Zealand and when we’re at church on Sunday, they’re already conducting business in Sydney and Brisbane. “Today we do a lot more business with New Zealand and Australia, China and Pacific Rim countries such as Singapore.”

It’s the second big economic modernising move by the governing Human Rights Protection Party in recent years, following its switch to driving on the left side of the country’s roads in 2009, another move to align it with the two regional powers. Supporters said at the time the change made it easier for Samoans in Australia and New Zealand to send used cars home to their relatives. Opponents predicted major traffic problems, but they never happened.

So far, only Samoa’s small Seventh Day Adventist Church has indicated a major problem for its congregation, which traditionally begins celebrations for the Sabbath on Friday night and continues through Saturday.The Seventh Day Adventist parish in Samoa’s Samatau village has decided it will continue to observe the Sabbath day on Saturdays despite changes forced on the church by the westward switch of the dateline.

The original shift to the east side of the line was conducted in 1892 when Samoa celebrated July 4 twice, giving a nod to Independence Day in the US. The date line drawn by mapmakers is not mandated by any international body. By tradition, it runs roughly through the 180-degree line of longitude, but it zigzags to accommodate the choices of Pacific nations.

A Happy ‘Hexmas’ from MW0JZE….

ant-hex-timor

Hi all, hope that Santa brings you lots of goodies for Christmas ๐Ÿ™‚

Well what a Year, I have been very very busy making Hexbeams! Lots of you would have already had you Hex and some are on the list waiting patiently! Many thanks for your understanding.

I have started a facebook page for the Hexbeams which you can find here;

http://www.facebook.com/pages/G3txq-Hexbeam/327564770606177

I have also added some pictures that I have had on my page but I need more pictures from you!!!! Please if you have some pictures of your Hexbeam please please please send them to me so I can post on the Facebook site ๐Ÿ™‚

In 2011 I took some time off making Hexbeams to do some traveling with my K3, KPA 500 and Hexbeam, details below. Please check out the links for more information;

March 2011 I was QRV as MJ0JZE on Jersey EU-013

June 2011 QRV as MC0SHL on Ramsey Island off the West coast of Wales EU-124
http://www.mc0shl.com/blog/viewpost/220.html

September 2011 I was lucky enough to be invited to Timor Leste as 4W6A on Atauro Island OC-232, what a trip, 41000 QSO!
www.4w6a.com

What will 2012 bring?? Well I am going to be very active again and hope to be QRV somewhere in the Pacific in late 2012, more news as I can announce it ๐Ÿ™‚ I hope to meet some of you on air in the near future, please call into me if you see me on the cluster or if I am on my travels!!

Happy Christmas and a Healthy new year!!!

73’s Ant MWร˜JZE

The ONLY UK Manufacturer Of The G3TXQ Broadband Hexbeam!

Kepler Discovers Earth-size Exoplanets

kepler


NASA’s Kepler mission has discovered the first Earth-size planets orbiting a sun-like star outside our solar system. The planets, called Kepler-20e and Kepler-20f, are too close to their star to be in the so-called habitable zone where liquid water could exist on a planet’s surface, but they are the smallest exoplanets ever confirmed around a star like our sun.

The discovery marks the next important milestone in the ultimate search for planets like Earth. The new planets are thought to be rocky. Kepler-20e is slightly smaller than Venus, measuring 0.87 times the radius of Earth. Kepler-20f is a bit larger than Earth, measuring 1.03 times its radius. Both planets reside in a five-planet system called Kepler-20, approximately 1,000 light-years away in the constellation Lyra.

Kepler-20e orbits its parent star every 6.1 days and Kepler-20f every 19.6 days. These short orbital periods mean very hot, inhospitable worlds. Kepler-20f, at 800 degrees Fahrenheit, is similar to an average day on the planet Mercury. The surface temperature of Kepler-20e, at more than 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit, would melt glass.

Scientists are not certain how the system evolved but they do not think the planets formed in their existing locations. They theorize the planets formed farther from their star and then migrated inward, likely through interactions with the disk of material from which they originated. This allowed the worlds to maintain their regular spacing despite alternating sizes.

The Kepler space telescope detects planets and planet candidates by measuring dips in the brightness of more than 150,000 stars to search for planets crossing in front, or transiting, their stars. The Kepler science team requires at least three transits to verify a signal as a planet.

A poor year’s operating for M0OXO?…….

I have never chased totals on a Yearly basis and I don’t have the inclination to do so. However, I can’t say that I am suprised at my current activity stats for this last Year. I knew that 3 months of air during the summer would play a big part in my totals and then again a further 4 weeks period of air in December definately hurt me ๐Ÿ˜‰ my Qso numbers taking a massive hit, almost 5000 qso’s down on last year.

CW however was my target this year and I did make a promise that I would increase CW activity in 2011 and that can be seen as true, CW taking a 13% increase to last year and SSB activity less. Lets hope 2012 can be a better year and once more, CW activity is the way forward for me. Thanks to Michael G7VJR and Clublog for providing these Stats, here we go…..

Yearly Totals (last 3 years)

Year Number of DXCCs Number of QSOs QSOs as Percent
2011 191 1640 CW: 20.98%
Phone: 34.51%
Data: 44.51%

2010 204 6473 CW: 8.54%
Phone: 18.83%
Data: 72.62%


2009 205 5037 CW: 11.65%
Phone: 28.95%
Data: 59.40%



2011 didn’t bring me too many more ”new ones” (just 6 all time new) but there were some nice bits out there this year and with the increased band activity this last few months, this has enabled me to start (for the first time really) chasing new slots. This graph shows quite a big influx in new slots which have in the main have been over 100 new slots on CW alone,ย  and 75% of those were all time new on CW, amazing!


DXCC Entities (worked)


So, what for 2012?

Well my mission (should I choose to accept it!) is to progress with CW, thats my main target and I shall chase as many new slots as possible.

I need to look at the DXCC’s still wanted (full list at the bottom of this page) but to be fair, until new Dxpeditions appear, many of these will be on the list for many years to come.

Qsl Managing plays a big part in my side of the hobby and that will continue. I have plans to keep the OQRS system as up to date as possible and with Tim M0URX we are activly working on ways to improve and make the system more efficient.

So to all of you with whom our paths have crossed this year, Seasons Greetings to you and you families. Have a very Merry Christmas and let’s hope 2012 is a good year for all of us.

73 de Charles

DXCC entities (still required)…

Entity Most-wanted Rank
NAVASSA I. #1
NORTH KOREA #2
HEARD I. #3
SOUTH SANDWICH #4
BOUVET #5
YEMEN #6
AMSTERDAM & ST. PAUL #7
KINGMAN REEF #8
MALPELO I. #9
CROZET #10
AUCKLAND & CAMPBELL #11
TROMELIN #12
JUAN DE NOVA & EUROPA #13
PALMYRA & JARVIS IS. #14
SOUTH GEORGIA #15
MACQUARIE I. #16
WAKE I. #17
BAKER & HOWLAND IS. #18
ST. PETER & ST. PAUL #19
JOHNSTON I. #20
SAN FELIX I. #21
PRATAS ISLAND #22
KURE I. #23
SCARBOROUGH REEF #24
ERITREA #25
KERGUELEN #27
MYANMAR #28
THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN #29
BANABA #30
MELLISH REEF #31
SWAINS ISLAND #32
COCOS I. #35
PITCAIRN I. #36
NORTH COOK IS. #40
CHESTERFIELD IS. #41
TEMOTU #43
NAURU #51
COMOROS #59

A poor year of operating for M0OXO?…..


Well, I can’t say I am suprised at this years totals. I knew that 3 months of air during the summer would play a big part in my totals and then again a further 4 weeks period of air in December definately hurt me ๐Ÿ˜‰ so here they are below. CW however was my target this year and I did make a promise that I would increase CW activity in 2011 and that can be seen as true, CW taking a 16% increase to last year and SSB activity less. Lets hope 2012 can be a better year and once more CW activity is the way forward for me.

Year Number of DXCCs Number of QSOs QSOs as Percent
2011 191 1640 CW: 20.98%
Phone: 34.51%
Data: 44.51%

2010 204 6473 CW: 8.54%
Phone: 18.83%
Data: 72.62%


2009 205 5037 CW: 11.65%
Phone: 28.95%
Data: 59.40%

2011 didn’t bring me too many more ”new ones” (just 6 all time new) but there were some nice bits out there this year and with the increased band activity this last few months, this has enabled me to start (for the first time really) chasing new slots. This graph shows quite a big influx in new slots which have in the main have been over 70 new slots on CW alone, amazing!

DXCC Slots

So, what for 2012?
Well my mission (should I choose to accept it!) is to progress with CW, thats my main target. I shall chase as many new slots as much as possible but will however take the odd break again during the year. It’s good to have a few weeks off and do other things (that the xyl nags about) but certainly not as much time off air as 2011!

I need to look at the DXCC’s still wanted (full list at the bottom of this page) but to be fair, until new Dxpeditions appear, many of these will be on the list for many years to come.

Qsl Managing plays a big part in my side of the hobby and that will continue. I have plans to keep the OQRS system as up to date as possible and with Tim M0URX we are activly working on ways to improve and make the system more efficient.

So to all of you with whom our paths have crossed this year, Seasons Greetings to you and you families. Have a very merry Christmas and let’s hope 2012 is a good year for all of us.

73 de Charles

Needed DXCCs
Entity Most-wanted Rank
NAVASSA I. #1
NORTH KOREA #2
HEARD I. #3
SOUTH SANDWICH #4
BOUVET #5
YEMEN #6
AMSTERDAM & ST. PAUL #7
KINGMAN REEF #8
MALPELO I. #9
CROZET #10
AUCKLAND & CAMPBELL #11
TROMELIN #12
JUAN DE NOVA & EUROPA #13
PALMYRA & JARVIS IS. #14
SOUTH GEORGIA #15
MACQUARIE I. #16
WAKE I. #17
BAKER & HOWLAND IS. #18
ST. PETER & ST. PAUL #19
JOHNSTON I. #20
SAN FELIX I. #21
PRATAS ISLAND #22
KURE I. #23
SCARBOROUGH REEF #24
ERITREA #25
KERGUELEN #27
MYANMAR #28
THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN #29
BANABA #30
MELLISH REEF #31
SWAINS ISLAND #32
COCOS I. #35
PITCAIRN I. #36
NORTH COOK IS. #40
CHESTERFIELD IS. #41
TEMOTU #43
NAURU #51
COMOROS #59

A poor year of operating for M0OXO?…..


Well, I can’t say I am suprised at this years totals. I knew that 3 months of air during the summer would play a big part in my totals and then again a further 4 weeks period of air in December definately hurt me ๐Ÿ˜‰ so here they are below. CW however was my target this year and I did make a promise that I would increase CW activity in 2011 and that can be seen as true, CW taking a 16% increase to last year and SSB activity less. Lets hope 2012 can be a better year and once more CW activity is the way forward for me.

Year Number of DXCCs Number of QSOs QSOs as Percent
2011 191 1640 CW: 20.98%
Phone: 34.51%
Data: 44.51%

2010 204 6473 CW: 8.54%
Phone: 18.83%
Data: 72.62%


2009 205 5037 CW: 11.65%
Phone: 28.95%
Data: 59.40%

2011 didn’t bring me too many more ”new ones” (just 6 all time new) but there were some nice bits out there this year and with the increased band activity this last few months, this has enabled me to start (for the first time really) chasing new slots. This graph shows quite a big influx in new slots which have in the main have been over 70 new slots on CW alone, amazing!

DXCC Slots

So, what for 2012?
Well my mission (should I choose to accept it!) is to progress with CW, thats my main target. I shall chase as many new slots as much as possible but will however take the odd break again during the year. It’s good to have a few weeks off and do other things (that the xyl nags about) but certainly not as much time off air as 2011!

I need to look at the DXCC’s still wanted (full list at the bottom of this page) but to be fair, until new Dxpeditions appear, many of these will be on the list for many years to come.

Qsl Managing plays a big part in my side of the hobby and that will continue. I have plans to keep the OQRS system as up to date as possible and with Tim M0URX we are activly working on ways to improve and make the system more efficient.

So to all of you with whom our paths have crossed this year, Seasons Greetings to you and you families. Have a very merry Christmas and let’s hope 2012 is a good year for all of us.

73 de Charles

Needed DXCCs
Entity Most-wanted Rank
NAVASSA I. #1
NORTH KOREA #2
HEARD I. #3
SOUTH SANDWICH #4
BOUVET #5
YEMEN #6
AMSTERDAM & ST. PAUL #7
KINGMAN REEF #8
MALPELO I. #9
CROZET #10
AUCKLAND & CAMPBELL #11
TROMELIN #12
JUAN DE NOVA & EUROPA #13
PALMYRA & JARVIS IS. #14
SOUTH GEORGIA #15
MACQUARIE I. #16
WAKE I. #17
BAKER & HOWLAND IS. #18
ST. PETER & ST. PAUL #19
JOHNSTON I. #20
SAN FELIX I. #21
PRATAS ISLAND #22
KURE I. #23
SCARBOROUGH REEF #24
ERITREA #25
KERGUELEN #27
MYANMAR #28
THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN #29
BANABA #30
MELLISH REEF #31
SWAINS ISLAND #32
COCOS I. #35
PITCAIRN I. #36
NORTH COOK IS. #40
CHESTERFIELD IS. #41
TEMOTU #43
NAURU #51
COMOROS #59

A poor year of operating for M0OXO?…..


Well, I can’t say I am suprised at this years totals. I knew that 3 months of air during the summer would play a big part in my totals and then again a further 4 weeks period of air in December definately hurt me ๐Ÿ˜‰ so here they are below. CW however was my target this year and I did make a promise that I would increase CW activity in 2011 and that can be seen as true, CW taking a 16% increase to last year and SSB activity less. Lets hope 2012 can be a better year and once more CW activity is the way forward for me.

Year Number of DXCCs Number of QSOs QSOs as Percent
2011 191 1640 CW: 20.98%
Phone: 34.51%
Data: 44.51%

2010 204 6473 CW: 8.54%
Phone: 18.83%
Data: 72.62%


2009 205 5037 CW: 11.65%
Phone: 28.95%
Data: 59.40%

2011 didn’t bring me too many more ”new ones” (just 6 all time new) but there were some nice bits out there this year and with the increased band activity this last few months, this has enabled me to start (for the first time really) chasing new slots. This graph shows quite a big influx in new slots which have in the main have been over 70 new slots on CW alone, amazing!

DXCC Slots

So, what for 2012?
Well my mission (should I choose to accept it!) is to progress with CW, thats my main target. I shall chase as many new slots as much as possible but will however take the odd break again during the year. It’s good to have a few weeks off and do other things (that the xyl nags about) but certainly not as much time off air as 2011!

I need to look at the DXCC’s still wanted (full list at the bottom of this page) but to be fair, until new Dxpeditions appear, many of these will be on the list for many years to come.

Qsl Managing plays a big part in my side of the hobby and that will continue. I have plans to keep the OQRS system as up to date as possible and with Tim M0URX we are activly working on ways to improve and make the system more efficient.

So to all of you with whom our paths have crossed this year, Seasons Greetings to you and you families. Have a very merry Christmas and let’s hope 2012 is a good year for all of us.

73 de Charles

Needed DXCCs
Entity Most-wanted Rank
NAVASSA I. #1
NORTH KOREA #2
HEARD I. #3
SOUTH SANDWICH #4
BOUVET #5
YEMEN #6
AMSTERDAM & ST. PAUL #7
KINGMAN REEF #8
MALPELO I. #9
CROZET #10
AUCKLAND & CAMPBELL #11
TROMELIN #12
JUAN DE NOVA & EUROPA #13
PALMYRA & JARVIS IS. #14
SOUTH GEORGIA #15
MACQUARIE I. #16
WAKE I. #17
BAKER & HOWLAND IS. #18
ST. PETER & ST. PAUL #19
JOHNSTON I. #20
SAN FELIX I. #21
PRATAS ISLAND #22
KURE I. #23
SCARBOROUGH REEF #24
ERITREA #25
KERGUELEN #27
MYANMAR #28
THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN #29
BANABA #30
MELLISH REEF #31
SWAINS ISLAND #32
COCOS I. #35
PITCAIRN I. #36
NORTH COOK IS. #40
CHESTERFIELD IS. #41
TEMOTU #43
NAURU #51
COMOROS #59

A poor year of operating for M0OXO?…..


Well, I can’t say I am suprised at this years totals. I knew that 3 months of air during the summer would play a big part in my totals and then again a further 4 weeks period of air in December definately hurt me ๐Ÿ˜‰ so here they are below. CW however was my target this year and I did make a promise that I would increase CW activity in 2011 and that can be seen as true, CW taking a 16% increase to last year and SSB activity less. Lets hope 2012 can be a better year and once more CW activity is the way forward for me.

Year Number of DXCCs Number of QSOs QSOs as Percent
2011 191 1640 CW: 20.98%
Phone: 34.51%
Data: 44.51%

2010 204 6473 CW: 8.54%
Phone: 18.83%
Data: 72.62%


2009 205 5037 CW: 11.65%
Phone: 28.95%
Data: 59.40%

2011 didn’t bring me too many more ”new ones” (just 6 all time new) but there were some nice bits out there this year and with the increased band activity this last few months, this has enabled me to start (for the first time really) chasing new slots. This graph shows quite a big influx in new slots which have in the main have been over 70 new slots on CW alone, amazing!

DXCC Slots

So, what for 2012?
Well my mission (should I choose to accept it!) is to progress with CW, thats my main target. I shall chase as many new slots as much as possible but will however take the odd break again during the year. It’s good to have a few weeks off and do other things (that the xyl nags about) but certainly not as much time off air as 2011!

I need to look at the DXCC’s still wanted (full list at the bottom of this page) but to be fair, until new Dxpeditions appear, many of these will be on the list for many years to come.

Qsl Managing plays a big part in my side of the hobby and that will continue. I have plans to keep the OQRS system as up to date as possible and with Tim M0URX we are activly working on ways to improve and make the system more efficient.

So to all of you with whom our paths have crossed this year, Seasons Greetings to you and you families. Have a very merry Christmas and let’s hope 2012 is a good year for all of us.

73 de Charles

Needed DXCCs
Entity Most-wanted Rank
NAVASSA I. #1
NORTH KOREA #2
HEARD I. #3
SOUTH SANDWICH #4
BOUVET #5
YEMEN #6
AMSTERDAM & ST. PAUL #7
KINGMAN REEF #8
MALPELO I. #9
CROZET #10
AUCKLAND & CAMPBELL #11
TROMELIN #12
JUAN DE NOVA & EUROPA #13
PALMYRA & JARVIS IS. #14
SOUTH GEORGIA #15
MACQUARIE I. #16
WAKE I. #17
BAKER & HOWLAND IS. #18
ST. PETER & ST. PAUL #19
JOHNSTON I. #20
SAN FELIX I. #21
PRATAS ISLAND #22
KURE I. #23
SCARBOROUGH REEF #24
ERITREA #25
KERGUELEN #27
MYANMAR #28
THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN #29
BANABA #30
MELLISH REEF #31
SWAINS ISLAND #32
COCOS I. #35
PITCAIRN I. #36
NORTH COOK IS. #40
CHESTERFIELD IS. #41
TEMOTU #43
NAURU #51
COMOROS #59